RENews

Advent

Understanding the Catholic Advent Tradition

Advent is the season of new beginnings. A new liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent and it beckons to us with images of transformation and hope. It is the season of the impossible becoming possible. In the scriptures we read of the dry, barren wilderness bursting into bloom; of broken hearts healing; of a barren woman and a young virgin both conceiving children. It is the season of longing and light. Week by week, candles are lit on the Advent wreath signifying our longing for the light of Christ, as the time of his birth draws near. Yet Advent heralds more than Christ’s birth. It paves our way toward celebrating Christ as God-with-us, God in human flesh. This is a profound mystery at the heart of our faith, and it is the cause of our joy at Christmas.

Advent Wreath

The custom of lighting an Advent wreath of candles originates in the ancient Northern European custom of having a fire wheel at the winter solstice in December. The fire wheel was lit to celebrate the gradual return of the sun after the shortest, darkest days of winter. Christians adapted this symbol to celebrate the coming of Christ, the light, who transforms the darkest depths of our world.

Many people celebrate Advent by lighting the candles of an Advent wreath each day, accompanied by a prayer. One candle for Week 1, two candles for Week 2, and so on. The wreath comprises three purple candles and one rose-coloured, for the joyful Third Week of Advent. They are set in a circle of evergreen leaves, symbolising God’s endless life and love. A fifth candle, a white ‘Christ’ candle, may be placed in the centre to be lit at Christmas. The gradual lighting of the candles represents the increasing light of Christ as his coming draws near.

JESSE TREE

The Jesse Tree custom is a pictorial celebration of the Jewish history and ancestry of Jesus. Picture-symbols are hung upon a tree, each representing a fragment of the story of the Jewish people leading up to Jesus who is, for Christians, the fulfilment of the prophesies contained in the Hebrew Scriptures. Each person represented by the symbols has, in some way, helped prepare the way for Jesus, the Messiah.

The carrying out of this tradition involves obtaining a tree branch or small evergreen tree on which to hang the symbols, and perhaps a brief passage of Scripture related to the person depicted. The symbols may be hung on the tree throughout the season of Advent.

Those represented on the tree include Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, Rachel, Joseph (coat of many colours), Judah, Ruth, David, Solomon, Joseph (husband of Mary), the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ her Son.

ADVENT CALENDAR

Another way to mark the days of Advent is to use an Advent calendar. These calendars usually have a door or window to open each day to reveal an image or a prayer. The days of Advent vary each year, so store-bought Advent calendars usually have 24 doors, one for each day in December leading up to Christmas. If you are making your own calendar it may link with the symbols from the Jesse Tree or the prayers for lighting the Advent Wreath. The O Antiphons can also be included in the week leading up to Christmas.

Christmas Vigil Mass

To the St.Raphael school and Parish Community

You are invited to attend the Christmas Vigil Mass at our Parish of St.Raphael on Sunday 24 th December 2017 at 7:00pm. 

Your children are encouraged to come dressed as an angel or shepherd ( keeping garments simple and angels or shepherds can be either gender) and arrive between 6:30and 6:45pm for a quick rehearsal before the commencement of mass. 

"May you come and be filled with God's blessing for the year that we have embraced , and for the hope that our saviour continues to strengthen us with, for the year ahead. "

Thank you

On behalf of Damian Howard, Tina Colosi and the staff at St Raphael, we would like to extend a big thank you to the parent community who  throughout the year and been very appreciative, understanding and supportive. The students F-6  have travelled a beautiful spirit filled journey, and in particular all the students who received a sacrament in 2017. May the Lord continue to guide and strengthen all our students on their travels.

We would especially like to thank Fr Benneth, for all his guidance, wisdom and teachings. Even though Fr Benneth was only with us for a short time, his presence, memories and experiences shared together will be treasured for a life time. We will miss him walking through the school and  greeting us with 'Hello' !!! 

We will miss Fr Benneth and wish him all the best for the future

End of Year Mass

Wednesday 20th December at 9.10am all families are welcome to join us in celebrating a whole school mass and giving thanks to the Lord.  At this mass we will  farewell Fr Benneth, Miss Clare Spillane, departing families and our graduating Year 6 students. 

Welcome Fr Simon

We warmly welcome Fr Simon to our parish and we look forward to sharing many joyful celebrations in the coming year. Fr Simon will officially begin his appointment  in late January. 

Little Ray of Giving Campaign

Ray White and the St Raphael's Community would like to thank the generosity of it's members for the donations of gifts and money for the needy. 

Please see below a Thank You from Ray White.

If you would like to donate your contributions will be greatly appreciated. Please leave them under the tree in the front foyer.

Sacramental Dates for 2018

Confirmation-

Saturday 17th March- 2pm & 4pm (Celebrant- Bishop Curtain)

Reconciliation

Thursday 17th May-Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) 5pm Yr 3 R&E  /

6.30pm Yr 3 M&J  (in the church)

First Holy Communion-

Sunday 9th September- Sacrament of First Holy Communion Yr 4 R&E  10.30am

Sunday 16th September- Sacrament of First Holy Communion Yr 4 M&J  10.30am

Please Note- This year Confirmation families will need to book their time via the PTO booking system.Information will be sent out this weekk.

La Santa Scala- The Holy Stairs- Rome

Sharing with you my experience of climbing the Holy Stairs earlier this year while on LSL.

Climbing this historical monument ‘La Santa Scala’ - The Holy Stairs in Rome on my knees, was something that will remain with me forever. It was an experience that words can not fully describe and I was filled with overwhelming emotions.

In June of this year, I travelled to Rome with my family. There I visited many churches and historic buildings. The most enriching experience was visiting ‘La Santa Scala’. I had never heard about this sacred place nor did I have any prior knowledge. As we approached the doors to the church, guards stood in front guarding the opening. ‘Was this what Jesus encountered the night he was arrested and brought before Pontius Pilate?’

The 28 Holy Stairs have been traditionally identified as the very same ascended by Jesus in Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem. Brought to Rome by St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, in the IV century, they lead up to the Sancta Sanctorum (or Chapel of San Lorenzo) and are considered to be so holy that believers may be seen climbing the stairs on their knees.

With each step I climbed on my knees, I prayed the ‘Hail Mary’. With each step I reflected on Jesus’, life journey and made connections to my life today. I thought about ‘Mary’, the Lord, about hardship, sorrow, joy, love, forgiveness and courage. With every step it became more difficult remaining on my knees. Once at the top I gave thanks to the Lord for giving me strength in life, the ability to face and conquer life's challenges and I gave thanks for all the beauty that surrounds me. I would encourage anyone to go and visit this sacred church and climb the Holy Stairs.